Paperwork is your best friendThe problem with paperwork is that we never really look at it until it’s needed, and then it’s too late... If you have to go to court to gain possession of a property, you will need to make sure that you have everything in place before you start proceedings, and if you haven’t, you have a problem, so start as you mean to go on, ensure you know all the paperwork you need and have a routine or checklist to make sure you have it all, right from the start.Your letting file, should include, the tenancy agreement, the prescribed information, the inventory, gas certificate, any other safety check reports, deposit registration certificate, and from October first, proof of the tenant receiving a gas certificate, EPC, proof of smoke alarms being tested on the first day of the tenancy and that the DCLGs “how to tenant guide” has been given to the tenant too.

Shopping around for quotes can cost you moneyIn the midst of winter, you receive a call from your tenant that the boiler has broke and your first reaction is to get a few quotes.... this is the main reason tenants move out, due to slow reaction to maintenance, consider how much the cost of a void period, and re-letting fees will be in comparison to how much you might save by shopping around for boiler repairs, you will be surprised.

There is more than one type of tenancy agreementMost landlords assume there is only one type of tenancy, the Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement, in fact there are many types.

Ignorance can cost you dearlyWith a buy to let property, you are classed as acting in the course of business, and therefore you are expected to carry out many functions and to know the law, ignorance will not be a defence in court, so you really need to know what your responsibilities are, or else it can cost you dearly.